Botswana Photographic Safari

Photographer in Botswana

What to expect on this itinerary

Botswana’s poetic landscapes provide surreal backdrops to an untamed animal world. Poignantly capture the raw emotion of nature’s great mammals, and then switch to wide screen for dazzling vistas and striking contrasts. Combining four of Africa’s most unique destinations, this itinerary offers exciting challenges and the inimitable shots that elevate your photos to professional level. Each day brings dozens of new angles, and each destination provides continual drama and charm.

Countries Visited

Botswana

Places Visited

Central Kalahari Game Reserve, Makgadikgadi Salt Pans, Okavango Delta, Linyanti Reserve

Suggested Duration

11 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Central Kalahari – Dramatic First Shots

Everyone dreams of the perfect African wildlife photos. You’ve probably got the zoom lens ready as you arrive in Botswana and feast your eyes on the Central Kalahari Game Reserve. But before the first game drive, it’s worth switching lenses and taking some time to capture the scene. There is your camp, secluded and charming as it sits in the middle of the famed Kalahari. A few kudu and hartebeest dot the dusty landscape, and, well, that’s about it. Botswana offers unrivaled wilderness. There are no roads, very few other tourists, and nothing to interrupt your continual immersion in nature. And as you photograph the camp’s evocative surroundings things begin to move. Perhaps an elephant that gently emerges on the horizon, maybe a carefully camouflaged hyena running through brittle grass, or a herd of wildebeest that were hiding behind your tent.

After arriving in Maun you’ll transfer to a light aircraft and land in the heart of Africa’s second largest game reserve. You’ve got three days in an untouched land that covers more than 50,000 square kilometers. Enchanting sights are easily spotted from your bed. Just open the curtains and one of Africa’s greatest theater spaces dazzles in front of your eyes. As you head out on a game drive, a flurry of close-ups require steady hands and sharp shutter speeds. While the Kalahari may sometimes look barren, it’s home to a phenomenal concentration of majestic black-maned lions. Prides lounge beneath the sporadic trees, seemingly sleeping. But zoom in and most of the lions have one eye open, carefully inspecting the land without betraying their slumber. It’s not you that excited them. A gemsbok herd meanders nearby, heading to the waterhole. Capture the change in expression as the lionesses rise and plot their approach. Then follow the scene as it slowly plays out.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Dinner
Day 2 - 3

Central Kalahari – Landscapes and Charming Close-ups

Day 4

Makgadikgadi Pans – Photographer’s Challenge

Day 5

Makgadikgadi Pans – A Quad Bike Adventure

Day 6

Okavango Delta – The Crisp Contrasts and Dazzling Colors

Day 7 - 8

Okavango Delta – Exceptional Safari and Endless Charm

Day 9

Linyanti Reserve – Elephant Herds and Hippo Pods

Day 10

Linyanti Reserve – Capturing the Delights

Day 11

Maun – Reliving the Camera Roll

Trip Highlights

  • Spend three days in endless big cat territory as you explore the vast red landscape of the Central Kalahari Game Reserve
  • Lose yourself in a white wonderland and marvel at the surreal Makgadikgadi Salt Pan
  • Savor the challenge of capturing some of Africa’s most phenomenal landscapes and unique wildlife
  • Discover the rich colors and lavish backdrops of the Okavango Delta, and then spend three days exploring its most abundant wildlife region, the Moremi Game Reserve
  • Capture dazzling aerial vistas as light aircraft flights catapult you from wilderness to wilderness
  • Shake your head in disbelief at the thousands of elephants, hippos, and giraffe that cover Chobe National Park
  • Enjoy a diverse array of safari activities that keep providing a new camera angle; including walking safaris, game drives, river cruises, and night safaris.
  • Always have your camera in hand as the lodges and camps are surrounded by wildlife and receive continual visits from nature’s great mammals

Starting Price

$11,100 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

  • Accommodations
  • In-country transportation
  • Some or all activities and tours
  • Expert trip planning
  • 24x7 support during your trip

Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 605 reviews

Bernard L.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Travel Review: Cape Town, Victoria Falls, 16 Days

Zicasso's trip designer arranged a flawless, extraordinary trip.

See more

Mona P.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Vacation Review: Safari, Wildlife, Nature, 13-Day Trip

We’re still not over our trip! Everything was absolutely fantastic. Thank you for organizing such a great experience and making it so effortless for me. I already have family and friends asking who I went through, and I’m guessing some of them will be reaching out to you in the next year.

I do have one small piece of constructive feedback about our camp in the Olifants West Nature Reserve. The staff, lodge, and food were wonderful, but unfortunately, the safari guide fell short. We had just come from the camp in the Thornybush Game Reserve (where we left our hearts—the guide there was truly exceptional, with such a great personality), so the difference stood out even more. At the Olifants West Nature Reserve camp, we saw very few animals and the guide didn’t engage much—he barely spoke, and when he did, it wasn’t very professional or kind, especially toward my son. My son even said the trip might have worked better in reverse, since after Botswana it was hard to adjust to seeing only a few animals a day.

That said, I’m so grateful for how smoothly you planned everything, especially on such short notice. It really was a trip of a lifetime for us.

Thank you again!

See more

Carolyn T.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe Trip Review: Wildlife, Local Cuisine, 13-Day Trip

Wow, I ran out of superlatives–fantastic, awesome, amazing. Everything was well organized and the recommended accommodations were all top-notch. The guides were so expert in their field. Every activity was well worth the time. Every meal was delicious.

See more

Anil M.
South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana Tour Review: 10 Nights

Our first trip to southern Africa was amazing, exceeding all expectations. We saw everything we came to see, and more. The game rides were well structured and safe, the visuals were unbelievable, and taking a side trip to Victoria Falls was a great idea. The accommodations were quite luxurious, despite being considered mid-range. There was always someone there to greet us and guide us at every travel point.

Zicasso's tour operator tailored our itinerary to our wishes and was wonderful to work with. Things couldn’t have gone better.

See more

bonnie A.
South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe: Safari, 13 Nights

The service before, during, and after our trip was totally "white-glove," and there were extra perks that we were surprised with each day of our trip. Zicasso's travel company listened to our goals and met and exceeded every one. We recommend them in every way and will be using them in the future!

See more

Edward L.
Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe Tour Review: Wildlife, 28-Day Trip

Fantastic job! Zicasso's travel specialist set up 28 days with flights, drivers, etc, and not a thing went wrong. She understood my needs and tailored the trip expertly.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

28,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
Zicasso in the News